Drawer frame

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to the construction of drawers for chests, desks, etc. A drawer frame is injection molded of plastic material in flattened blank form. The blank includes weakened zones dividing the blank into back and side sections, the lower part of the frame is provided with an outwardly projecting rib assembly including noncontinuous rib sections which are discontinued at the weakened zones to permit folding of the blank into a U-shaped frame. The rib assembly forms an interior longitudinal groove adapted to support the side and end edges of a drawer bottom. A drawer front dovetails with the side terminals and is secured thereto. A drawer guide is formed in the back of the drawer frame.

ite States atent Higdon, Jr.

1 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [541 DRAWER FRAME [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 882,212

Ornstein ..248/205 A Black et al. ..220/62 X Primary Examinerlames T. McCall Attorney-Shlesinger, Arkwright & Garvey [5 7] ABSTRACT This invention relates to the construction of drawers for chests, desks, etc. A drawer frame is injection molded of plastic material in flattened blank form. The blank includes weakened zones dividing the blank into back and side sections, the lower part of the frame is provided with an outwardly projecting rib assembly including noncontinuous rib sections which are discontinued at the weakened zones to permit folding of the blank into a U-shaped frame The rib assembly forms an interior longitudinal groove adapted to support the side and end edges of a drawer bottom. A drawer front dovetails with the side terminals and is secured thereto. A drawer guide is formed in the back of the drawer frame.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures mimenm 1m 316 SHEET 2 OF 2 g- 7 F 8 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH W. H/GDON, Jr.

WW M

ATTORNEYS DRAWER FRAME OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a drawer frame formed'from a rectangular, flat blank, the blank being bent along transverse weakened zones to form a drawer frame including a back and side sections adapted for ready engagement with a drawer bottom and drawer front.

Another object is to provide a drawer frame formed from a flat blank of plastic material which may be shipped and stored ina flattened condition, the blank being folded without heating to form the drawer frame.

Afurther object is to provide a blank for forming a drawer frame of the character described which includes a noncontinuous flange assembly and rib assembly, the rib assembly including rib sections extending outwardly fromthe back and side sections, thereby forming longitudinal grooves on the opposite side of the blank for supporting the edges of a drawer bottom.

A still further object is to provide a drawer frame of plastic construction, the terminals of which are provided with tenons for dovetailing with mortises ofa drawer front.

Other objects will be manifest from the following description of the presently preferred forms of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a molded blank for forming the drawer frame of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a drawer frame formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the drawer frame of FIG. 2, showing in dotted lines the manner of folding the'blank of FIG. I to form the drawer frame;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. I, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drawer, illustrating the use ofthe drawer frame ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 7--7 of FIG. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows; l

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines 99 of FIG. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

'FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating an alternate method of securing the drawer frame of the present invention to a drawer front.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The drawer frame of the present invention is constructed from an elongated, rectangular blank generally designated 20. Blank is preferably formed by injection molding, and is constructed of a suitable plastic such as polystyrene, polypropylene or the like, which materials may be colored in wood grain for aesthetic appeal.

Blank 20 is of substantially .uniform thickness throughout, with the exception of spaced, transverse weakened zones designated 22 and 24. weakened zones 22 and 24 divide blank 20 into a back section 26 and side sections 28 and 30.

It is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a noncontinuous outwardly extending flange assembly at the upper terminal of said back and side sections, the back section flange being designated'32 and the side section flanges being designated 34 and 36 respectively. It will be noted from a consideration of FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 that flanges 32, 34 and 36 are substantially coextensive with back section 26 and side sections 28 and 30, but are discontinued at weakened zones 22 and 24, to permit folding ofthe blank.

In like manner, blank 20 is further provided with a noncontinuous, outwardly extending rib assembly adjacent, but spaced from the lower terminal of the panel. This rib includes a back rib section 38 and side rib sections 40 and 42, rib sections 40 and 42 being spaced from the terminals of rib sections 38. The rib assembly forms a longitudinal groove in the op posite face of blank 20 comprising groove sections 38, 40' and 42.

As shown to advantage in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central lower edge of back section 26'below rib section 38 is provided with a T-shaped slot 44 which serves as a drawer guide for use in a well-known manner.

The three terminals of side sections 28 and 30 are provided with a vertical row of tenons designated 46 and 48 respectively, the tenons being located on the face of blank 20 opposite from the rib assembly.

In use of the drawer frame of the present invention for constructing a drawer, blank 20 is folded inwardly along weakened zones 22 and 24 into a U-shape. A flat drawer bot tom 50 is then engaged with the drawer frame by sliding the longitudinal edges thereof through the longitudinal grooves 40', and 42' of the drawer frame, until one transverse edge of the frame engages groove 38'.

A drawer front 52 is next engaged with the end terminals of the U-shaped frame, the drawer front being provided with a vertical row of mortises 54 and 56 adapted for the reception of tenons 46 and 48.

As shown to advantage in FIGS. 7 and 8, securement of the drawer front 52 to the drawer frame is effected by means of staples 57 which are driven through the drawer frame into the drawer front.

In FIG. 10, there is illustrated an alternate method of securing the drawer frame to the drawer front by means of adhesive 58.

With the drawer frame of the present invention, the frame blank .20 may be readily manufactured by an injection molding process, following which a plurality of the blanks may be shipped and stored in a minimum of space, together with drawer fronts and drawer bottoms. As needed, the drawer frames may be quickly cold folded into shape for assembly with the drawer bottom and drawer front by an unskilled craftsman, for insertion in a chest of drawers, desk, etc.

While there has been herein shown and described the presently preferred forms of the present invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein with the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A drawer frame for combination with a drawer bottom and a drawer front, the drawer frame including a. an elongated flat blank of plastic material,

b. said blank being provided with spaced, transverse weakened zones dividing the blank into integrally formed back and side sections, along which weakened zones the blank may be folded to form a U-shaped drawer frame,

0. one face of said blank being provided near the lower terminal with a noncontinuous outwardly directed longitudinal rib,

d. said rib providing a longitudinal groove in the opposite face of the blank adapted to receive the side and end edges of a drawer bottom, and

e. means for securing the front edges of said drawer frame sides to the drawer front.

2. The drawer frame of claim 1, wherein said means includes a. tenons extending transversely of the free terminals of said side sections, and

b. mortises in the drawer front for dovetailing engagement,

with the tenons of said side sections.

3. The drawer frame of claim 2, with the addition of a. staple means .for securing said drawer frame to the drawer front.

4. The drawer frame of claim 2, with the addition of a. adhesive means for securing said drawer frame to the drawer front.

5. The drawer frame of claim 1, wherein a. a slot is formed in the central portion of said back below said rib, to provide a drawer guide.

6. The drawer frame of claim 1, with the addition of a. separate, independent outwardly projecting flanges extending from said back and side sections. 7. A drawer for combination with a drawer bottom and a drawer front, the drawer frame including a. an elongated, rectangular flat blank ofplastic material,

b. said blank being provided with spaced, transverse weakened zones dividing the blank into integrally formed back and side sections,

. a noncontinuous rib extending longitudinally of one face of said blank,

said rib being discontinued at the weakened zones,

whereby said blank may be cold folded along said weakened zones, to provide a U-shaped drawer frame,

said rib forming a longitudinal groove in the opposite face of the blank being adapted to receive the side and end edges of a drawer bottom, and

. means for securing the front edges of said drawer frame sides to the drawer front.

. The drawer frame of claim 7, with the addition of a. a noncontinuous flange projecting outwardly from the upper edge ofsaid blank,

b. said flange being discontinued at the weakened zones.

9. The drawer frame ofclaim 7, wherein a. a slot is formed in the central portion of said back below said rib, to provide a drawer guide.

10. The drawer frame of claim 7, wherein,

a. said drawer frame is injection molded ofa material having the characteristics of polystyrene.

11. The drawer frame of claim 7, wherein said means includes 

1. A drawer frame for combination with a drawer bottom and a drawer front, the drawer frame including a. an elongated flat blank of plastic material, b. said blank being provided with spaced, transverse weakened zones dividing the blank into integrally formed back and side sections, along which weakened zones the blank may be folded to form a U-shaped drawer frame, c. one face of said blank being provided near the lower terminal with a noncontinuous outwardly directed longitudinal rib, d. said rib providing a longitudinal groove in the opposite facE of the blank adapted to receive the side and end edges of a drawer bottom, and e. means for securing the front edges of said drawer frame sides to the drawer front.
 2. The drawer frame of claim 1, wherein said means includes a. tenons extending transversely of the free terminals of said side sections, and b. mortises in the drawer front for dovetailing engagement, with the tenons of said side sections.
 3. The drawer frame of claim 2, with the addition of a. staple means for securing said drawer frame to the drawer front.
 4. The drawer frame of claim 2, with the addition of a. adhesive means for securing said drawer frame to the drawer front.
 5. The drawer frame of claim 1, wherein a. a slot is formed in the central portion of said back below said rib, to provide a drawer guide.
 6. The drawer frame of claim 1, with the addition of a. separate, independent outwardly projecting flanges extending from said back and side sections.
 7. A drawer for combination with a drawer bottom and a drawer front, the drawer frame including a. an elongated, rectangular flat blank of plastic material, b. said blank being provided with spaced, transverse weakened zones dividing the blank into integrally formed back and side sections, c. a noncontinuous rib extending longitudinally of one face of said blank, d. said rib being discontinued at the weakened zones, e. whereby said blank may be cold folded along said weakened zones, to provide a U-shaped drawer frame, f. said rib forming a longitudinal groove in the opposite face of the blank being adapted to receive the side and end edges of a drawer bottom, and g. means for securing the front edges of said drawer frame sides to the drawer front.
 8. The drawer frame of claim 7, with the addition of a. a noncontinuous flange projecting outwardly from the upper edge of said blank, b. said flange being discontinued at the weakened zones.
 9. The drawer frame of claim 7, wherein a. a slot is formed in the central portion of said back below said rib, to provide a drawer guide.
 10. The drawer frame of claim 7, wherein, a. said drawer frame is injection molded of a material having the characteristics of polystyrene.
 11. The drawer frame of claim 7, wherein said means includes a. tenons extending transversely of the free terminals of said side sections, and b. mortises in the drawer front for dovetailing engagement with the tenons of said drawer frame.
 12. The drawer frame of claim 11, with the addition of a. staple means for securing said drawer frame to the door front.
 13. The drawer frame of claim 11, with the addition of a. adhesive means for securing said drawer frame to the drawer front. 